TorAa Mirror

My blog will mirror our life and experiences in Norway and other places around the world. With a certain sense of humour and self irony.
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I understand her. Long, tall twofoot, goes too late to bed. Allmost every night. Too short time to have real coz. She loves to put me to bed. And roll around upon me. Then creep up under my armes and into my armpit. Sniffing, licking, biting and mrrrr that loud she wake up the neighbours noisy dog. But not Anna. She fells even deeper to sleep by her prrr, mrrr, prrr.Why does that female cat allways stick her head into my armpit? What smell do I have at nights that attract her so strongly? Anna is undisturbed asleep. But that Cat. What's wrong with me. Am I a cat in disguise? Like the frog that became a prince?

Oh yeah, when thinking about it: when coming home home from work, she jumps upon the kitchen table and strech her neck and head towards me. She pretends to just smell if it is really me. Sort of security check.

But I've seen it, when reflecting deeply, she try to KISS me. She want me to be a CAT.

After this discovery I allways sleep with my mouth plastered. I'm used to it now. But I will never get used to wake up with a sore armpit.

PS. This is posted on my new PC, which 3 hours after start-up lacks lots of programs and pictures, even drivers to our cameraes. That's why this post is short and with an old picture. Have mercy.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Another Mystery

The Statue Code in Fortaleza

Once again I got a question related to one of my photos on Fotothing. And once again I needed to refresh my memories and search for the answer. This time I got the answer in less than 1 hour. From Visit Fortaleza in Brazil. As I say: The world is flat, in the sense of never sleeping. And by finding answers to questions from blogger friends, I do learn a lot. And I'll share it with you, my dear reader.

Well, there was something there, in my brain, but blocked (have you also felt that kind of blockage?).Searched the web. Not there, nothing here, Fortaleza, art, guide, sculpture.... Without result.Well, to whom can I write asking the question. Some tourist organisation? Yes. Search again.Find a clue and wrote this e-mail:

If you need more info, let me know (if you could place a link to thepage, I would appreciate it).

Thanks,Issamu

Correct answer to my question: It took 19 minutes.I refere the first part from the link above:The name Iracema refers to an Indian female of the same name, who became part of the History of Ceará.

The New Statueof Iracema

History books say that a Portuguese called Martim Soares Moreno was one of the greatest heroes of the war against the Dutch invasors, in the first half of the 17th century; Martim Moreno chose to live in Ceará, among the Indians.In the 19th century, José de Alencar, one of the greatest Brazilian writers, wrote a book called Iracema; in the book, Iracema was the wife of Martim Moreno.

Iracema provided the strenght that Moreno needed to fight. The name Iracema doesn't appear in the History books, but Alencar said that his novel was inspired by tales he heard since childhood.Iracema is so entrenched in Fortaleza History that there are five statues of her in the city. The oldest one was dates back to 1965, when the novel Iracema was turning the 100th anniversary, and is located in the beach of Mucuripe.

I am overwhelmed by this quick and precise answers. That's what I'm calling Quality Service.

If you want to read more about the history of the region and Fortaleza, click here.

Here are some pictures from our visit to Fortaleza and surroundings some years ago, around Christmas and New Year (What a fantastic arrangement at the Beach on New Year's Eve - Es do Brasil- I did not bring the camera).

The picture to the right, courtesy of www.visitfortalezaAlle pictures to the right and from Cucumbo, taken by Tor and Anna.Right from top:1) Anna in our roof-top pool - very pleasant 'cause of the slow breeze.2) View from entrence to the appartement - Praia Meireles and Atlantic Ocean in the background3) View from Balcony to the Meireles Beach .December 26 - 2002Meireles is the stretch of beach which surrounds the Feirinha de Artesanato (Handicraft Fair). The area is packed with hotels, restaurants, small shopping centers and other tourism oriented businesses.Meireles has also a large concentration of barracas (rustic restaurants) by the beach; these restaurants serve good food and drink.4) Anna at Ponte dos Ingleses (Bridge of theEnglishmen) - Praia Iracema5) Christmas tree made entirely by plastic bottlesFor more information, please click on the link given in the answer from VisitFortaleza.

A day-trip to Cucumbo - 30 minutes to the West of FortalezaAsk for Tours at your hotel or in tourist kiosks at the Beach (Meireles)

First stop en route to Cucumbo, was this charming Lake. You can rent Jet-boats, windsurfers and have a sightseeing sitting on huge rubber-sausages. Or just take a swim and/or a lunch. Chickens and Ducks are slaughtered just in front of you. Garanteed fresh. (We had Fish).

The Beachbuggies have a stop on this Sandhill from where you can glide on Sandboards down and into the Lake. It is sand, not snow. Beautiful view from up here. And, of course, you can buy different sorts of refreshments, fruits and snacks.

The Beachbuggy Tour in the large, snow-white sandhills in Cucumbo is a must. Here just before going down the steep hills. You can also see the Vikings have been there.

If you want to, or feel it safe i.e. you master riding, you can ride for miles after miles on white sand.

This is a Jangada - typical fish boat, or more correctly a raft with sails, from Ceara. Cucumbo.

After a long day in Cucumbo, it was wonderful just to sit down and zip to a drink

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Mystery in the Church

Earlier this week I posted a Photo of a Cloth with embriodery (at Fotothing). - In fact an Altar Cloth.

Picture text:Embriodery found in a Norwegian West Coast Church (Giske), build in 1150 by Marbel from Italy. You see the age of the embriodery on the cloth.

Next morning I received the following comment:

From: senna3Jan 25 2007 08:39 GMTI like such pictures very much. You managed to get a very clear and sharp result! What does HOSBACDB mean? Click for larger views

Here is my answer:From: taaboeJan 25 2007 00:42 GMTThank you so much. It was hard to take this picture, as it's not allowed to use flash, and besides it's very gloomy inside the Church (made from Marmor brought from Italy more than 700 hundred years ago- by a private family;D)Note: I was wrong about the age of the Church

I checked the commenters profile, and found out he is a Dutch retiree. With other words, I figured, a person serious about the question. As I did not have the answer to this ”Giske-code”, I searched the Net (What else ;D). Finnaly I came across an e-mail adress and explained the Issue by mail. Clicked SEND and crossed my fingers. It was a Hotmail-adress, so I was not very optimistic (not me normally) to receive a quick answer.

But how wrong can one be. When back from work: A replay to my e-mail in the Mail-box.

Opened that one first (of more than 35 incoming mails – even before those from my regular readers).I was quite anxious – Would I find the answer. Read for yourself (translated to English)

Quotation:Hey,It’s been uncertain about this cloth, but in the local historybook ”Borgund and Giske”, I do find a possible version:The cloth is made by a young girl. Her name was Karen Breier. What you are asking for should according to what I read might be the initials of her parents: HOSB = Hans Olufsen Breier (1623-1704). He was vicar in Aukra and Dean in Romsdal. And his wife, ACDB = Anne Christensdatter Bernhoft (1624 – 1705)RegardsInger Magelssen Godø

Hurray, the code was cracket. HOSB on the left side was the young Embroidist’s father’s initials and ACDB on the right side, her mother’s. Then I posted a replay to the Dutchman.

Some facts about Giske Church and the Surroundings:

Findings in Graves and other Relics of the past, tells us about Settlements 8000 years ago in this Archipelago of the Norwegian Westh Coast. Fishing and Farming was the foundation for the development of these old settlements.

Fishing is still important.You can rent a Rorbu here at Alnes

The Church was build around 1150 as a private chapel for the powerful Noble Family Arnunge, and is the only Marbel Church left in Norway. The Marble Blocks were transported on ships all the way from Italy in the 12th Century, and payed by the family. The Arnunge family was second to the King in the Middle Age Norway.Due to the fact, Marble is not sustainable to the Climate on the Islands, the church’s outer Walls now are covered by Mortar. More pics and text (Norw)

Excellent guidance in English during Summermonths. So if you’re around, have a visit to the Church and to the Lighthouse on the Neighbouring Island plus the ancient fishing harbour close to Alnes Lighthouse. If you would like to swim westbound, next stop is Greenland.

Most people goes back to Aalesund, a Town completely rebuild in Art Nouvau (Jugend) after the Townfire a January Winternight in 1904.You can also visit the North Sea Oceanpark with a.o. a large Aquarium.

Greetings from Anna and Tor + Rosa and Felicia. Have a Joyful Sunday:-)

In the meantime listen to Ruth. It's great Lyrics, song and melody for your soul

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Anna at Work

On a Sunny SaturdaySome times snow is beautiful when the Sun shines from a bright blue sky and the Snow is angelwhite. But this Saturday, March 4, 2006, we had to change all our plans for the weekend. My cousin (we own the estate together, but we have divided it "privately") called me and asked whether or not I had shuffled the snow off the roofs. If not, you better be doing it now, before the snow became wet; and your roofs are broken.

- Anna, I said, the Sun is shining and it's too much snow attop our cabin-roofs. We must go out and shuffle it off.- What, to our Summerhouse now. We have so much to do here.....

Respectable discussion followed. Winterclothes on, picked up a alumnium spade and a snowshuffle.

Into the car we went and set off on route for Summerhouse. Passing the 5 tunnels, one 4,5 miles sub-sea, and up the last steep hill (18 degrees). Wintertyres helps, if in doubt.Yes, it was snow on the roofs. I very quickly understood: Snow-shuffle. Forget it. Drive to the nearest ironmonger and by another alumnium spade. I so did. 30 dollars. For a safe roof: OK.See that clever girl up there, she's so strong, you want even imagine.

Back home - bathtube, with mineralsalt. And hot soup. Alle the heavy snow-lifting and shuffling together with a couple of wine (glasses) put us early to bed. Too exhausted but to sleep. LoL.

Next day, also blue sky and sunshine, we were very stiff indeed, and moved like 80 year old's with sticks and bowed backs. Even the local horse felt pity for the oldies, when we took a short walk nearby. So be prepared, for all eventualities. Even a snowfall or more.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Tuesday - January 23 - 2007

Many people mix the p-pills for their cats into the food. We have tried that a couple of times.Result: No food eaten. That’s it. Our Cats knows it. They scratch the floor, and put their taileless Tails right up in the Air. And show their buts to the poissened food.

- Mnjet , miuaful – No, it’s awful.

Every Sunday, at catdinner time, they don’t run for their Pollock. They walk with care; approaching slowly. Sniffing carefully.- Mieewo – hm what’s it?Safe to eat: YesThen they attack with eager and lust.

After a couple of hours after their Dinner, time for the Pill. We cannot say it loudly. Because they hide the moment ”pill” is even whispered. Felicia's hiding place-->

Either me or Anna walks as silent as only we can do (LoL) into the Kitchen and grab two pills from the box, to the Sound of running Tapwater or the Radio.

Pick up one Cat each, I take Felicia and Anne gets hold of Rosa. Onto our laps. Putting them butt down, head up. Opens their mouths. At least we try, cause they keep it chut. What a struggle. And their ears: Flat backwards. Luckely they don’t use their long nails.

- It’s no danger. It’s only a little pill. You know you need it. It’s for your convience (at least ours – he-he. We plan to let them have kittens during this Fall, and then to be sterilized).Rosa watching Animal Planet-->Well into their mouth, we are not finnished. Scratch their troaths. Several times and then let go, i.e. they run away. If glance could kill….Then we feel safe, you think? Oh no, we don’t know whether the pill was swollowed or not until next Sunday. Guess how many odd places we’ve found pills. They put the pill under their Tongue, and spit it out. Have revealed them of several occasions. Smart creatures.

Thursday, January 18, 2007

January 18 - 2007

PS. I'm very frustradet. My Broadband Vendor does not deliver access to Internet as promised. Haven't been on-line since Tuesday. Hope you understand I can't spend too much time at Work. That's Why I've been bad to comment and post lately.

Monday, January 15, 2007

January 16 - 2007

CATS ON TUESDAYWhen you buy things today, you afterwards often struggle to get rid of the packing, whatever that might be made of. The other day I bought a new lamp for our Home Office. Guess who was there, studying what was going on? Rosa of course. She’s the kind of personalty that must know everything.

- Miau, miaaau? What’s that, it means in human language- That’s a lamp for the Office- Miou mjau. Oh, a lamp.- Do you like it?- Mi, mi, ma. A little bit- Only a little bit- Mje. Yes- OK then. Where shall I put the packing?

Now she startet to be really eager. Went straight to my legs and stroke them time after time. Looked at the cardboard pack and strolled in to the living room saying:

- Miaaaw, miu, miu, mjau, miuw. Follow me into the living room and put on the floor.- Miaha, I said and followed her.- Miere. Here.

I so did. Placed the box on the floor and opened it. Seconds after, Rosa got a new Cabin.Her Cabin, you must know. Next box to get rid of was the one our new set with Pepper- and Saltmill plus Herbsboxes was delivered in. A bright red box with fine tree shavings to protect the content from transportation damage. Rosa, who else, discovered our doings once again.

- Miau, miaaau? What’s that, it means in human language as you allready know.- That’s our new millset, I said- Miou mii-jau. Oh, a Millset- Do you like the set?- Mnjet. No.- Oh, you don’t like it. Then we will drop it in the littercontainer outside- Mnjet – mnao –mnoh. Nei – neei – non- What’s up? Something wrong?- Mnja mie mii-minauu. Yes, I want millset box- Of course, how stupid can a man be. Where do you want me to put it down?- Mjee – mjee. Her, her.

She once again ran into the livingroom, and sat down just inside the entrance. I placed the box on the floor and opened it. She jumped into and lay down in a circle only cats can do. Upon the treeshavings. She had found her cradle. The past two days this box have been her favourite napspot.